CURRENT PUBLIC OFFICE(S) HELD: None
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: CEO, OneClickPolitics.com
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: iRobot Program Manager, Consultant McKinsey & Co.
EDUCATION: B.A. from Georgetown, Master of Public Policy from Harvard & MBA from Wharton School of Business
FAMILY INFORMATION: Wife, Hope; son, Theodore, 2, Seraphina 9 months.
CLUBS and ORGANIZATIONS: Knight of Columbus, Council on Emerging National Security Affairs
HONORS and ACHIEVEMENTS: Chairman, NATO Industrial Armaments Group, Major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Q: What is your distinguishing idea, different from all the other candidates, to help create more jobs in southeastern Massachusetts?
A: In order to spur the economy and create more jobs in southeastern Massachusetts, we need to reduce taxes and decrease the burden of regulations on businesses of all sizes. Only the private sector can fuel real economic growth.
I support South Coast Rail as a means to enable further economic development. Additionally, I believe that towns and cities can encourage growth on the local level by creating empowerment zones that would reduce taxes and encourage entrepreneurship and business growth. We should also work to invest in two-year colleges and technical training programs. Partnerships between higher education institutions and industries that require skilled workers can develop programs that offer affordable education and certification while reducing the shortage of skilled workers that are needed in the United States.

Q: What should be done to save the financially imperiled Medicare system?
A: As it currently exists, Medicare is not sustainable. In order to continue this program for future generations, reforms must be made to cut costs and provide greater flexibility. It is important that reform measures not affect current seniors enrolled in Medicare or those close to retiring. Individuals should be given the choice to stay on the current plan or receive Medicare benefits as a subsidy from the government. This subsidy would pay for the type of coverage that an individual wants as long as it meets baseline standards that are similar to the government-provided Medicare plan, but beneficiaries could also choose to remain on traditional Medicare.
Reform of Medicare is urgent, but should be implemented over time to ensure that no one depending on this coverage falls through the cracks.

Q: Under what circumstances would you authorize the president to take military action?
A: The President of the United States and Congress should only authorize military action when there is a direct threat to national security. Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the exclusive right to declare war. Despite major conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, the U.S. has not fought in a declared war since World War II. Our founding fathers wisely gave the power to declare war to the representatives of the people; if the people do not believe that a conflict is in their national interest, then it is not.†We should adhere to the Constitution and only fight in conflicts that receive a majority vote in Congress through a Declaration of War. The federal government’s chief role is to protect the people, and the process for doing so is clearly articulated in the Constitution.

Q: Do you see any opportunity to cut taxes in the next two years? If so, from where? If not, why not?
A: While taxes are necessary for a free and safe society, Congress should cut taxes across the board, such as capital gains tax, base rate, and corporate taxes, to spur economic growth and allow individuals to allocate their own money and resources.
When we try to pay for more by taking more, we hurt economic growth and ultimately hurt those we intend to help.
Government spending is not an efficient way to allocate capital. By reducing the tax burden, we can put more money back into the pockets of Americans and empower individuals to make spending decisions for their own lives. We need a tax code that doesn’t penalize success and also doesn’t punish the working poor.† We should always focus on maintaining a system in which Americans can succeed based on their merit and hard work.

Q: What is your distinguishing idea, different from all the other candidates, when it comes to the topic of illegal immigration?
A: Immigration is a complex issue that creates a ripple affect with hot political issues such as border security, health care reform and education. Our current system needs to be reformed across several areas.
Primarily, the issue of illegal immigration should be separated from the problem of allowing highly-skilled workers to enter the United States. Currently, America is losing its competitive edge because some sectors cannot fill open positions for specialized jobs. Frequently, our colleges and universities are providing the training that is needed to international students, but once they graduate, these potential workers must return to their native countries. We need to simplify this process and find an easier way for American businesses to recruit and international workers who fill these specialized skill sets and aren’t displacing American workers.
Before the issue of illegal immigration can be solved, the U.S. needs to enforce comprehensive border security that addresses both our northern and southern borders as well as ports. Security risks along our borders and ports not only involve illegal immigration, but also affect national security, human trafficking and illegal drug trafficking.